chess – Bri Alys, LLC

This morning I woke up with one word on my mind: positioning. As in the act of getting into an ideal spot. Parents sacrifice so their kids can go to the best schools, that is an act of positioning them for future success. Papparrazi climb fences/gates just so they can get the perfect shot. That’s also positioning. If you play chess or know anything about it, you also know that finding a way to get your pieces in the perfect spot so you can go boldly proclaim, checkmate. Finding the correct spot a particular piece needs to be in on that chess board at exactly the right time is an act of positioning.

Positioning is a constantly evolving thing and the spot you need to be in today is not necessarily the same spot you need to be in tomorrow. Sometimes you have to remove barriers or knock on new doors, stretch yourself to heights you never knew you could go to or maybe even give up something in hopes of getting something else. Prime example: As I got older I realized I didn’t want to live in the North; but, I viewed it as a means to an end. It was a part of my journey that was required to land me in the very spot I’m in today. I picked up pieces along the way, pieces that allowed me to get in position. And on that journey – from Birmingham to Rochester to Cleveland and finally to my “destination”, Atlanta – I gained some things and I lost some things. And I’m perfectly ok with that because I’m in position. The position I say I should be in.

My point to you is this: the only person that knows the ideal position at this very point in time for your life is you. Your positioning is up to no one other than you – you own it, you decide. You get to take credit and rejoice when things go well; but, you also have to take responsibility when they don’t go well, regardless of the reasoning behind it. You are required to first decide you need to be in a different position, investigate and truly understand what that means, claim it, pray about it, move into it and then do (or not do) all the things required to maintain your spot or position.

Positioning can apply to work, home or play and you are the only one that can be the MVP of your Game of Life. Pay very close attention when your positioning feels off and do something about it. Or as Beyonce would say, “Get in Formation.” Don’t just sing, do.

I ran across an amazing article at Medium.com, “Your Life Is Tetris. Stop Playing It Like Chess.” This article encompasses the very reason of why I love reading (and writing) blogs – people express themselves, compare things, and making amazing analogies. There are usually no canned thoughts and it’s very authentic. Before I capture the essence of the article I read, let’s talk a little about how these games work: In Tetris you are given varying shapes/blocks and your goal is to make them all fit evenly and score points in a set amount of time. There’s no competition, just you and those blocks. Each time you play, you try to beat your last game’s score. In Chess, there’s you and an opponent, each with the same “pieces” and the goal is to absolutely beat the other person – capture their king There can be only one winner and there is no time limit.

The author compare these two games to The Game of Life, which i’ve written about before. (Click HERE for a review). The entire article is an great read; but here’s a summary: (my commentary in pink)

In life, your only opponent is yourself. The real game of life is completely internal. STOP TRYING TO COMPETE/COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. FOCUS ON BEING THE VERY BEST VERSION OF YOU!
In life, things don’t get harder — they just get faster. The only way to master life — like Tetris — is to learn to play with the same self-control at the highest speeds. LEARNING TO ADAPT TO AD REMAIN CLAM IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION IS WHAT SEPARATES DRAMA QUEENS FROM THE REST OF THE SAME POPULATION. RELAX.
In life, you can’t control the board. Like Tetris, you can simply put yourself in the best possible position without seeking to completely control the system you play in. YOU’VE HEARD THE SAYING, PLAY THE HAND YOU’VE BEEN DEALT. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE CARDS YOU’VE BEEN HANDED (OR SELECTED FOR YOURSELF), GO OUT AND GET NEW ONES. NO ONE OWES A NEW HAND.
In life, no one tells you when you’ve won. I don’t play to win — I play to play. WHAT DOES WINNING MEAN TO YOU? YOUR WINNING != TO MY WINNING. HAVE FUN! ENJOY LIFE! CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS. ONLY YOU CAN DETERMINE WHEN YOU’VE WON.

Tag: chess

Positioning

Life is Like Tetris